How do we keep all of this research relevant to society?

Earth System Science has something of an identity crisis – the general public, and certainly many scientists don’t know what it’s about while we think it’s at the basis of our future existence on this planet. Do we, the research community, have spokes-people focusing on communication? How can individuals improve – or create – a commonly understood reputation for this field? Without this reputation we will struggle to find funding, students, jobs.